The Uganda National Teacher’s Union (UNATU) have resolved to continue with their ongoing strike, despite meeting the president about the same issue.
On Saturday, 18th June 2022, the UNATU National Executive Council of met with H.E, Yoweri Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, in the presence of select Cabinet Ministers and Senior Government officials to discuss the issue of the teachers’ salary enhancement in FY 2022/23.
The involved parties seemed not to agree over everything, but a few things were put straight; the teachers insisted they were not happy over discriminatory salary enhancements which breach the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement that was signed with Government in 2018.
During the meeting, it was noted that Government was not fully aware of the consequences of increasing salaries for one category of teachers to a tune of over 300% against nothing for all other categories of teachers.
The matter was then handed to the Ministry of Public Service and Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to review the proposed pay plan and ensure that the disharmony is rectified. This means that discussions and negotiations are still on-going.
Meanwhile, Baguma Filbert Bates, the UNATU General Secretary has told all their members to stay home as they await the outcome of the review process.
“Our resumption of duty is dependent on how fast the Ministries of Public Service and Finance conclude the review process, and whether the outcome of the said review process is satisfactory and addresses the issue of FAIR salary enhancement for all teachers across the board,” Baguma said.
He also warned all the other teachers that only him, as the General Secretary is the Official Spokesperson of the Union, and that therefore, any information particularly regarding calling off the strike should be disregarded unless given by the General Secretary.
